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Tuesday, 8 August 2017

Norwich Bus Bash

This Sunday sees the inaugural Norwich Bus Bash organised by First Eastern Counties. The new extended Roundtree Way depot will be opening its doors to the public, including the long awaited "rainbow" line up of all the different coloured routes. you can take a trip through the bus wash, sit in a driver's cab, inspect the workshops and more.

There are frequent free bus trips around the City, including County Hall where you can park, as parking at Roundtree Way is severely limited. My thanks to Chris Speed for the info, and hope to see many of you there.

UPDATE

Due to Norwich City re-arranging their home match against Sunderland to Sunday the plan to serve County Hall has had to be scrapped. Apologies for the false information but I've only just found out. This is also the reason buses to/from Roundtree Way can't serve the Rail Station.

Law Change to have a major impact on Community Bus services. This could also affect some demand responsive services

At present drivers are regulated lightly – anyone with a normal car driving licence can drive a minibus and checks ensure drivers do not have driving convictions or other criminal records.

A court ruling, has meant that the Department for Transport has now issued new requirements for councils to introduce stronger certification for community transport and ensure drivers have had training before taking out passengers.

To clarify the EU has now issued a formal Infringement notice that states Note for Profit bus service such as community buses , educational buses and church buses will now require a full PCV license as well as being registered with the traffic commisioners. Quite what happens now who knows as they are now operating in breach of the law which probably means there insurance is also invalid

Some further info here http://www.busandcoachassociation.org/information/infringement/

THIS is why I and many others voted Leave. Nothing to do with immigration but to put an end to faceless bureaucrats interfering with systems operating perfectly well. I know the government had been urged to work with Community Bus operators to ensure the process is as smooth as possible and operators are given time to comply with and re-train staff to adhere to the new rules.

It may need aanother court case to clarify. It depends on exactly what is classed as a third party. If a school bus is owned and driven by a staff member I think it is ok. If a parent drives it that appears to be a grey area

With regard to community buses. We do have to comply with MIDAS and train to get a certificate to allow us to secure and carry wheelchairs and to be aware of the vulnerable persons we transport. Some of us also undertake sensitivity training too. Yes we will have to now comply with Driver CPC regs and where possible this is being addressed.

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All views and opinions, unless otherwise stated are mine alone. I am not affiliated to any operating company or tendering authority. I want to publish as many positive posts as possible, but I am a passenger before spotter, and I make no apology for consistently challenging both tendering authorities and operating companies to provide an increasingly improving public transport system that provides reliability, convenience, comfort and value for money. Anyone is free to contact me with any concerns at anytime.All pictures and information within blog posts are copyright and not to be republished or copied without prior permission and/or due credit given.